Before many of those who make major repairs of the kitchen or have decided to partially update it, the question arises of choosing a suitable table or even several tables. For this room tables are presented in a huge assortment, there are many options in shape, function and size. That is why it is often difficult to choose a product that fits perfectly into a particular interior.
To avoid such difficulties in the selection process, You should familiarize yourself with the features and classifications of tables for the kitchen, their materials, accessories and styles, as well as tips for choosing in advance. All these nuances will be described in detail in this article.
Features
As with any piece of furniture, the kitchen table has a number of features, the most important of which are the following.
- The basic function of the described piece of furniture is to provide comfort while eating for households and their guests.
- Sometimes tables are bought as an additional working space required for cooking.
- In large rooms, the table is often an element of zonal distribution. This feature is typical, for example, in the kitchen-living room.
- Most dining tables are not similar in design to countertops with a set, but simply in harmony with its color scheme. At the same time, cutting tables for the kitchen can have the same top coating as the set.
Types of designs
The list of kitchen tables on the furniture market is huge.
Each variety of similar designs has a number of special functions, so they are bought for various purposes.
Some of the models are still considered a luxury item, and without others it is already difficult to imagine everyday life. To understand what table options exist, it is conditionally possible to divide products into 2 groups: dining and chopping models.
Dining
The main purpose of using dining models is the convenience of the atmosphere when eating at home. There are a number of varieties of dining tables.
- Stationary structures - differ in that they do not transform during operation.
- Folding table - a piece of furniture, the countertop of which is divided into 2 or 3 parts, while the side elements can be folded vertically, significantly saving space in the kitchen. Usually this option is laid out when receiving a large number of guests.
- The sliding option is also popular.when an extra compartment is under the countertop. When unfolded, its parts are shifted to the side, while the previously hidden compartment fills the central part.
- Transformer Dining Tables - their sizes can be changed in all respects: in dyne, height and width. They are equipped with rotary and rotating mechanisms, allowing you to change the shape and parameters of the product.
Such universal options when folded look pretty elegant, but their weight can be very significant. And the cost of such multifunctional furniture is quite high.
- As a dining table in some rooms may be a bar. It is usually a continuation of the headset and has the same coating as a countertop. This option is not only ergonomic, but also helps to create additional space for placing kitchen utensils and tableware. From the front side, these structures can have additional support or be fully open.
- Rack table concept appropriate in the kitchen for those options if the table is facing the wall, and also if its function is performed by the bar counter. Such narrow, rectangular-shaped products can turn their surface into shelves for storing kitchen accessories or utensils.
- Countertop Structuresmade in a semicircle are quite popular in apartments for 1-2 people. With a straight end, the product fits directly to the wall, and the rounded side is directed into the kitchen space.
- Console table may also be present in the kitchen, but it mainly plays the role of a zonal separator in large rooms. It can fit to the wall or to furniture from neighboring areas of the room, as if marking the boundaries of the kitchen.
- The most ergonomic type of table is extendable modelbuilt into the kitchen.
It occupies one of the lower sections of the headset, pulling which by the handle, you can extend the entire structure. It is held by fastening to furniture and two legs to which the wheels are attached. Thanks to these wheels, the structure can be rolled out.
Besides saving space, the built-in model is also good because during operation it stands firmly on the same level, despite the possible unevenness of the flooring. And also it prevents the formation of disorder, which sometimes forms on stationary products. As for the minuses, then they include: the inability to move the structure, a small surface area, the need for special installation.
Chopping
In terms of thickness and coverage, such models are most often combined with a headset, but options with a slightly different tabletop design are sometimes acceptable. The chopping table is a robust construction, which is provided with additional durability of the working surface.
On many such products, you can see the anti-vandal layer on the upper surface, which is not afraid of scratches and chips, sometimes appearing in the process of cooking dinner with careless handling of knives.
It is also worth highlighting modular cutting tables. They consist of sections, the size of which is selected at the discretion of the buyer. The choice of options depends on what exactly is planned to be stored in the compartments of such a product.
Materials of manufacture
One of the most important aspects when choosing a kitchen table is the material from which it is made. There are many similar furniture and components from various types of raw materials on the modern market.
Wood - a natural material from which high-quality, durable and environmentally friendly structures are created. Among the hardwood species used to create kitchen tables, one can distinguish mountain ash, larch, elm, birch, oak, apple and beech. Most products from these breeds look very solid and solid, however, it is worth noting such negative characteristics inherent to them as high weight and high cost.
In addition, these structures require special impregnation coatings, since in the kitchen a tree can suffer from exposure to high humidity.
Often, wooden tables include metal parts, such as forging or finishing corners. Iron parts can be made of stainless steel. Often, the legs of the table act as durable stainless steel parts, while the countertop remains wooden. Such a simple design looks catchy, and at the same time the design is quite reliable and durable.
More budget counterparts will be tables for kitchens made from raw materials based on wood. The most popular are materials such as MDF, particleboard and chipboard. In the first case, a plate with a wood-fiber structure is used, the components of which are bonded thanks to paraffin. The second material is a wood chipboard consisting of shavings, and the third option includes a second plus a laminated surface.
Products from the above wood analogues have a fairly strong structure and can be decorated in various ways.
And also it is worth noting such an economical option for using natural wood in a countertop, such as veneer. It is a thin section of wood, which is mounted on the main material for the countertop. As a result, the kitchen table takes on a presentable appearance, not even being entirely made from natural raw materials.
No less popular for the kitchen glassware. Nothing looks as sophisticated and elegant as a glass countertop, which is made of sufficiently strong glass, resistant to various mechanical damage. Such products are good because they are very easy to care for.
Sometimes glass models of countertops are supplemented by very unusual legs, the material for the manufacture of which is natural bamboo. It looks original.
A natural stone It is also a raw material for the manufacture of kitchen tables. This material is characterized by durability, not inferior to wood, strength and special aesthetics. However, when choosing such a product, it is worth remembering such nuances as the high price and very heavy weight. Contact with various chemicals should also be avoided. Stone countertops often include bar counters.
Along with expensive materials for creating tables in the kitchen is used plasticwhose price is quite affordable. Other advantages of plastic-coated structures are ease of maintenance, a wide selection of design options, durability and lightness. The surface of these tables can also imitate natural materials.
However, you need to be careful with products made of PVC and other similar materials, since they are not so resistant to mechanical damage or shock.
A particularly easy option for artificial kitchen counter tops is plastic. It often covers the surface of the table, being framed in bright colors. A table with a plastic worktop is light in weight and easy to maintain, but its surface is unstable to too hot dishes and various damages.
Fans of unusual countertop coatings will love option with ceramic tiles. Using tiles, you can recreate the look of various natural materials, such as stone or wood. It is worth remembering that products made from such raw materials are very easy to maintain and do not require thorough cleaning using strong products.
Shapes and sizes
At the kitchen table, the countertop can be embodied in various forms. Among them are the following species.
- Round design - A very elegant option, especially relevant for classic styles. Such a table has 3 supports in the form of legs or one large solid support under the center of the countertop. The disadvantage of this design is their low level of ergonomics.
The round shape does not allow you to put the table against the wall, so it is not very suitable for small kitchens. For ease of use, the diameter of the product should not be more than 150 cm.
- An oval table is ideal for a large company, the absence of sharp corners in which minimizes the number of injuries during operation. This design, in contrast to the round, has a more elongated shape, so in some cases, if the dimensions of the kitchen allow, it can even be placed against the wall. A countertop of this type has two interconnected supports or 4 legs.
- Square table for the kitchen - A terrific option for a small family or couple. It is especially laconic in modern styles, when the rest of the headset has a clear shape and angles.
A small table perfectly complements the general concept with its shape, but it does not take up much space, which will be an additional plus for owners of small apartments.
- Rectangular Kitchen Table It is considered classic for a house where more than three people live, or for receiving guests. Its support is usually 4 legs located in the corner zones under the countertop. These tables are medium or large in size and are often located against the wall in cases where no more than 4 people live in the family. They are presented in a huge number of design options.
- An unusual design for eating will be triangular table. This figured geometric option is suitable for a house where guests are not very often and a small number of people live. However, there are larger versions of this form. The number of product supports corresponds to the number of angles.
So that the table is not too high, it must be selected based on the growth parameters of all households.
The total number of growth should be divided by the number of people living, multiplied by the height of the standard table (78), and then divided by the average height (165).
The resulting number will be the optimal height.
Color schemes and styles
It is very important to remember that the choice of a kitchen table requires taking into account the concept of style in which the interior of the kitchen is decorated. Among the design areas, the following main types can be distinguished, tables for each of which have an appropriate appearance.
- For classic, provencal or country styles the best solutions are wooden tables for the kitchen. In the first case, it is necessary to emphasize the elegance of the classic with the help of carved wood patterns, elegant legs and noble natural colors. For Provence, it is worth choosing designs made of light wood, which have simple but elegant shapes.
In the concept of country music, the forms are not so smooth - massive rectangular tables are chosen for it, the texture of which is deliberately emphasized. In addition, the tree is always present in chairs or even benches that complement such a dining place.
- For glass products Modern design concepts such as hi-tech, modern or minimalism are best suited. In the first case, a glass countertop is usually combined with other materials in one product. The legs can be made of both plastic and metal, and sometimes they are even decorated with backlighting, which looks unusual. In the modern direction, kitchen tables appear in strict rectangular or oval shapes, and wood or wood analogues can serve as additional material in the design.
In a minimalistic concept, the glass horizontal of a rectangular table is complemented by legs of atypical shapes, for example, triangular.
- Tables for kitchen made of stone perfectly complement the Mediterranean concept, modern and rococo. In a Mediterranean design, the design can be white or beige, and the countertop is sometimes done in blue or green-blue.
In Art Nouveau you can often see glossy tables made of dark stone. Rococo tables look very pompous, light-colored stone is often decorated with various patterns and stucco moldings. Sometimes the stone is combined with elements such as forged parts in the area of the support, which look like a real work of art.
- Eco concept involves the use of materials that are reminiscent of light wood in color and texture. Headset counters are very often made of the same material and go into stylish bar counters.
As for color solutions when designing the table as a whole, here the options can be very different.
- Solid color tabletop in glossy or matte texture. Popular options are white, black, red, beige.
- Imitation of natural materials. Thanks to modern technology, a surface made of artificial raw materials is often made into wood or stone. Colors are selected accordingly. For wood imitations, shades of brown, beige, mahogany, ivory shade are characteristic. You can also find products with patina - artificially created signs of antiquity on furniture.
- For individual orders, photo printing can be applied to the countertop of some materials (for example, plastic). Thanks to this technique, the kitchen table can be made truly unique. A table with photo printing often becomes an accent detail in the interior of the kitchen.
- Colored surfaces of countertops they are not always monophonic, often various ornaments or stains are created that form the pattern. It is noteworthy that on such design options traces of pollution are not immediately apparent.
How to choose?
To purchase a product that is as functional and beautiful as possible for your kitchen, you need to follow the recommendations for choosing a table. These include the following nuances.
- First of all, the size of the room in which the product will be located should be taken into account. There are fewer options for a small kitchen than for a more spacious one. In a small room it is better to arrange a square or rectangular table, and you can arrange the dining space in the form of a bar.
- Check out catalogs and the Internet for product prices to make it easier to plan your budget. Please note that expensive models (for example, a pilasters table) often have such a price because of the natural materials in their composition and handmade elements. In extreme cases, you can opt for products of the economy class, which will at the same time look no less organic.
- Taking into account the general concept of the interior in the kitchen is very important. If the table will vary in style with the surroundings, then the room will not have the proper harmony. Therefore, be sure to check out product design options for a specific concept.
- Take into account the number of people who will use the table constantly, plus 2 more places in case guests arrive. From all this, choose the maximum capacity of the product.It is also worth remembering that one person needs 70 cm of space so that the meal is truly comfortable. Multiply this figure by the number of people and get the ideal kitchen table settings for your family.
Tips
In the process of furnishing the kitchen and arranging tables, you should pay attention to some techniques that will make the kitchen space as functional as possible, and the table - an organic and stylish interior detail. We list these tricks.
- The table area can be further highlighted using lighting fixtures.
- The tabletop can be successfully supplemented with accessories according to the concept of the interior - fabric napkins, decorative figurines or a vase with flowers. However, such parts should not overload the product.
- It is necessary to try so that the chairs are designed in the same style as the table design.
Good examples
If you have not decided on the desired model of the kitchen table, look, what some original and beautiful examples in the interior look like.
- The practical wooden rectangular model fits perfectly into the kitchen with a corner.
- The support of the product with a glass tabletop may have a plain light support of an unusual shape.
- A square beige table with rounded corners of the countertop looks even more organically combined with chairs that have the same smooth silhouette.
- A drawer with doors can be built into the supporting part of the kitchen tables, which will create an additional place for storing various utensils.
Transformer kitchen table overview see below.